Hi all, my first post in the forum :D... New in the forum but not a newbie, I consider myself a classic freerider, with a long time *solid* intermediate level.

I currently ride a Starboard Futura 141, usually large sails in a big lake, so flat or almost flat speedy conditions. Good wind use to be 13-17 knots in our spot. Right now is 15 knots. Not too far there are a couple coastal spots where locals use to enjoy wave sailing in (I believe) stronger winds.

The thing is that I have been given a new old 2009 wooden Starboard Kode 80. The board is new, in pristine unused condition, with the original stickers, etc.
I have had many boards, but never such small beautiful red toy. So I'm struggling what to do... two options:

Option 1: To use it to learn wave sailing (always have been tempted about it) BUT I actually wonder if it is realistic to start with such pretty small sinker board. I'm 73 kg (=160 lbs) and don't want to break that "unused condition" if trying to learn in such a small volume is nonsense. Board size is 235x56. What do you think?

Option 2: Although its value is not great, being new it will be easy to sell (no so much free space in my quiver). In this case I`d let the waves for another occasion and keep going fast with my current setup :)

(There is a third option, to put this piece of art on the wall in the living room, but my wife won't let me, so it's discarded).

Any opinion will be welcomed. Thanks! :)

Go for the third option and get a new wife.......

you can use it as a speed board, I have the 94 l. model and with 4 straps in the ouside position can rig cammed sails, yours should be able to handle a 5.8

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powersloshin said..
you can use it as a speed board, I have the 94 l. model and with 4 straps in the ouside position can rig cammed sails, yours should be able to handle a 5.8

It doesn't sound like they get enough wind to speedsail.

Welcome to the forum! Coming from a 141 that board will feel extremely small and impossible to sail initially. Taking that into the waves without experience in stronger winds, waves and small boards will probably not result in a great experience, best case

If you can find a safe environment where you can try the board in the flat in stronger winds a few times first, then you can re-evaluate after that. Otherwise see if you can pass it on to someone that is able to sail it or exchange it for a board that might be better suited to get started in the waves.

LoL, Wind Smurf wants me to sink one way or another... :D
Yes, I can use the board on the lake for speed, but strong winds (>20 knots) are in short supply around here (reason of being committed to big sails).
Ptsf1111, I actually need to learn some skills first, I've never used small boards so I have zero experience with them. I have a very good disposition but I don't want to fight something unnecessarily annoying... so I needed to know if it's *practical* to start with something that small or if it doesn't really make much sense. I think you're right, I'll see if I can trade it for a bigger one.
What I imagined but did not want to accept. Better to gradually reduce volume while having fun...
As someone said, the main virtue of wave and freestyle riders is to give the impression that their boards float! :)
Thank you all very much, great forum. I will keep reading.

It is a tad long but great and easy board for a first wave board. More than 80L in feel you can sail it with 5.0+. Have any fins too?

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Manuel7 said..
It is a tad long but great and easy board for a first wave board. More than 80L in feel you can sail it with 5.0+. Have any fins too?

Hi Manuel, it comes with a curvy fiberglass JP wave 9,5" fin. Funny, the point flex a bit... my usual straight freeride fins are rock solid, no flex at hand.
I assume it is the right fin for the board. According to JP charts maybe a bit on the big side. I wonder why it's not the usual Starboard (Drake) fin.

BTW, I have seen some videos about technique with the smallest sinker boards... kind of scuba-windsurf mix :D
In one of them at the waterstart, the board was completely sinked (knee high, maybe) but once on ride it was just over the water. Slow, but almost "dry feet", if it can be said this way.
The rider claimed to be sailing the 80 litres sinker in 12 knots with a 4.5 sail... Could it be true?

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Seichenur said..
BTW, I have seen some videos about technique with the smallest sinker boards... kind of scuba-windsurf mix :D
In one of them at the waterstart, the board was completely sinked (knee high, maybe) but once on ride it was just over the water. Slow, but almost "dry feet", if it can be said this way.
The rider claimed to be sailing the 80 litres sinker in 12 knots with a 4.5 sail... Could it be true?

Hi, I am your same weight and I have a FSW Kode 2016 (I think), similar board, bit shorter 230, bit wider 57.5 and 82 liters. It is not a "smallest sinker" type of board at our weight, you can go in displacement, although it will sink in zero wind. I use the board from 3.7 to 5.4 with ease and it works admirably. But it needs to be powered, if you sail in locations with relatively steady winds and with no wind line to reach it can be very nice. Where I sail, I often reach for my 90L because I often need to cross a few hundred meters to get to the wind. Something a little bit bigger would be my suggestion. Try to find a modern (short/wide) 85 or 90L board. At our weight they are comfortable down to 4.2 conditions, they can carry a 6.0, give you a bit of margin if the wind drops and you do not really loose much, if anything, in terms of agility and comfort, especially in the mid range.

PS And no, you cannot sail it in 12 knots with a 4.5 sail unless you are a 50Kg guy.

Thanks Duzzi.
I have the board already listed for sale or trade for a bigger one. Looks like not much interest on it anyway... windsurf is becoming a niche around here. I`ll wait a couple weeks or so, if no success I`ll put it on the water to start using it myself.
If windy, we have almost full wind power close to the edge. But rarely reaching 18+ knots.
I have a bunch of sails but a gap between 4.5 and 6.1. Looks like the right sail for me on the Kode 80 should be a 5.5 or so, my guess is that the 6.1 is maybe too big.

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Seichenur said..
Thanks Duzzi.
I have the board already listed for sale or trade for a bigger one. Looks like not much interest on it anyway... windsurf is becoming a niche around here. I`ll wait a couple weeks or so, if no success I`ll put it on the water to start using it myself.
If windy, we have almost full wind power close to the edge. But rarely reaching 18+ knots.
I have a bunch of sails but a gap between 4.5 and 6.1. Looks like the right sail for me on the Kode 80 should be a 5.5 or so, my guess is that the 6.1 is maybe too big.

It depends a bit on the sail, but 6.1 might be pushing it. My RRD FSW 90 is happy with a 6.0 ACX, and 30 cm fin, where the 6.5 is just too big and tends to overwhelm the board.

That board is 56 wide. Would a great board for 5.3-3.4 for your weight.

I would say the 6.1 would not work, but since you have the board and the sail, give it a try.

The Kode 80 is one of my all time favourite boards. Being a Single fin it can handle a 6.0 (i used to use a 6.0 Gator on mine quite regularly) - but only just (i was 87 kgs back then) its fast and does really nice power based turns- jumps really well and is super safe in bigger waves. Prtobably a bit advanced as your first wave board unless you live somewhere that is regularly windy.

Ok you can play with fins if you need. 24cm will work for most conditions except maybe if you rig big.
The flex is gives you a little more feedback before spin out.

Thank you all for your comments.
Reflex, I read the review you wrote about the Kode/Acid, good one. Manuel, good to know. I have some good fins but mostly tuttle box. I keep a couple US box but old&cheap ones, the one with the board looks better (a JP wave).
If I finally keep the board I'll post the riding experience here. Sincerely, I know is too much board for my level but I'm wishing to try it! :)